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Fantasy hockey - Top 250 rankings for the rest of the 2016-17 season

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Fantasy hockey - Top 250 rankings for the rest of the 2016-17 season

It’s a scene we don’t like to see, but is inevitable in a contact game when players are skating full tilt toward each other. Winnipeg Jets rookie Patrik Laine had his bell significantly rung on Saturday by Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe. It was a clean hit, but Laine has some level of concussion.

As we know in the injury department, that can be as serious as a couple of days to clear the cobwebs or an indefinite period of time for the brain to heal. Each and every concussion is different. Fantasy owners will have to be patient with the young forward and hope for the best, as there is no replacing his kind of production from the waiver wire.

As it were, Laine has the slightest of edge on Toronto Maple Leafs rookie Auston Matthews in the race for most valuable fantasy rookie so far this season. Both players have been better than promised by prognosticators, looking as at home on the NHL ice as any veteran. Laine is 19th among all skaters on the ESPN Player Rater and was on pace for 41 goals before the injury. Matthews is 23rd on the Player Rater, on pace for 44 goals, but trails Laine enough in games played, penalty minutes, plus/minus and average ice time to remain a step behind — for now.

Laine’s injury offers us a chance to check in on the rest of the rookie class and see how they are progressing for fantasy value to date. Laine and Matthews are in a class of their own, so we’ll pick up the list after them in order of fantasy value so far.

Zach Werenski, D, Columbus Blue Jackets: While I just suggested to you that Laine and Matthews were in a class of their own for fantasy value among rookies, I’m immediately going to take that statement back. While that statement may be true from a big-picture standpoint, you can make a case for the first two rookies on this list to come ahead of them. Werenski has destroyed all expectations of him, which to be frank, was just some minor offensive upside for a young prospect hoping to eek out some third-pair minutes on defense. Instead, he’s a powerhouse on the blue line and among the league leaders in power-play points so far. Werenski is a huge part of the Blue Jackets’ success this season and is on pace for a 53-point campaign that stuffs the peripheral stats for fantasy owners — which is why you could make an argument for him as the most valuable fantasy rookie so far this season. Laine and Matthews both rank in as No. 2 fantasy forwards. Werenski has been a No. 1 fantasy defenseman, ninth among all players at his position on the ESPN Player Rater.

Matt Murray, G, Pittsburgh Penguins: If we are going to make the positional argument for Werenski, it’s impossible not to do the same for Murray, who ranks 10th on the ESPN Player Rater this season among goaltenders. There are some qualifiers in his case, however, as goalies have to compete a little more to retain their value than skaters do. So far, Murray has been just as good as might be expected from the reigning Stanley Cup champion goaltender. Between his 13 appearances last season, his 21 starts in the Stanley Cup playoffs and his 19 appearances so far this season, Murray has an incredible combined goals-against average of 2.09 and a save percentage of .927 to go with 37 wins in 53 appearances. When added together, that’s as many starts as a lot of goaltenders would make in a full season. If he had put those numbers up in a full season last year, he would have ranked fifth in GAA, third in save percentage and third in wins. While all of this indicates that the clock is ticking on Marc-Andre Fleury‘s presence in the Penguins’ crease, that full-blown takeover is more likely to occur in the offseason. When Murray returns from a lower-body injury, he is still going to have to share the load with Fleury. He may wrestle away the lion’s share of starts again but will still be limited overall by Fleury’s presence.

Matthew Tkachuk, LW, Calgary Flames: While he doesn’t quite have his old man’s touch around the net just yet, Tkachuk brought his dad Keith’s propensity for stirring things up to his NHL play. Just as Keith Tkachuk did in his heyday, Matthew is fueling his fantasy value through a combination of points and penalty minutes, more or less checking in as Wayne Simmonds-lite on the ESPN Player Rater. Simmonds, who is at No. 7 among forwards on the Player Rater, and Tkachuk, who ranks in at 27th, are the only two forwards among the top 50 for fantasy value who have more than 50 penalty minutes. But the buck doesn’t stop there with Tkachuk. Playing with the red-hot Mikael Backlund, Tkachuk has a nine-game point streak on the go and is on pace for 51 points this season. Maybe it’s because a chunk of his value is coming from PIM, but Tkachuk remains available in 70 percent of ESPN leagues. But even if you took away all — literally all — his fantasy value derived from PIM, he would still clock in among the top 100 forwards on the Player Rater (97th, just ahead of Taylor Hall).

Mitch Marner, C/RW, Toronto Maple Leafs: This Leafs’ rookie crop really is as good as advertised. Marner got what was theoretically the plum assignment among the group coming into this season, skating on what was — on paper — the Leafs’ top line to begin the season with James van Riemsdyk and Tyler Bozak. The trio remains, arguably, the Leafs’ top line, but they aren’t running away with the title. Marner is on pace for a 21-goal, 67-point rookie campaign that — in any other season – would have locked up the Calder Trophy. Aside from a 24-year-old Artemi Panarin putting up 77 points last season, you have to go back to Patrick Kane‘s rookie season to beat Marner’s pace this season. While he looks to return solid value this season, it’s owners in keeper leagues who should be especially excited. Guess how many goals Marner and Matthews have earned a point on together this season? Zero. They are playing on islands right now and both succeeding. It’s hard not to speculate about what these two will do together in the future.

William Nylander, RW/LW, Toronto Maple Leafs: Moved around the lines more than most Maple Leafs this season, Nylander is still right on Marner’s heels for value on the ESPN Player Rater. Marner checks in at No. 57 among forwards, but Nylander is right there at No. 61. Both forwards are arguably No. 6 fantasy forwards this season, depending on your needs. Nylander’s best attribute is that he’s a sniper on the power play. Here’s the full list of NHL players with more power-play points than Nylander so far this season: Cam Atkinson, Victor Hedman, Claude Giroux, Vladimir Tarasenko, Alexander Wennberg, Nick Foligno and Phil Kessel. That’s some mighty fine company for a rookie to be rubbing elbows with on the leaderboard. Of late, he’s been “demoted” from Matthews’ line to skate with Nazem Kadri and Leo Komarov, but I’d argue that anywhere but the fourth line for the Leafs has the catalysts in place for success. There is always the lingering chance that Nylander ends up back with Matthews again at some point, too, but for now, coach Mike Babcock appears happy to have his three-headed rookie monster develop on separate lines.

Juuse Saros, G, Nashville Predators: Saros’ numbers alone rank him quite highly among NHL goaltenders this season, but his workload isn’t there to justify standalone ownership in ESPN leagues. Still, he should be owned in a lot more than the five percent of leagues that currently employ his services, if only as a handcuff for Pekka Rinne owners. Rinne hasn’t been his usual sharp self outside of an outstanding month of November, leaving the door open for Saros to increase his use as the season wears on.

Brady Skjei, D, New York Rangers: As we venture a little further outside from the regulars in shallower fantasy leagues, we find a surprising season total from Skjei, who wasn’t even on the radar coming into this campaign. His 16 points are largely a product of the balanced scoring for the Rangers, allowing a third-pairing defender to contribute when he’s on the ice. There isn’t a whole lot of upside here, as he remains well down the defensive depth chart. That said, he could fill in for a desperate deep-league owner now and again.

Travis Konecny, C/LW, Philadelphia Flyers: It’s somewhat surprising Konecny doesn’t have somewhat better numbers, considering he shares the ice with Jakub Voracek and Simmonds. The key here is that he doesn’t get a role on the top power-play unit with said players. Of course, that means Konecny is one Flyers injury away from playing a much, much bigger role. He should remain on the radar, as it’s clear he’s a trusted asset in the Flyers’ attack.

Ivan Provorov, D, Philadelphia Flyers: Like Konecny, Provorov is one spot shy on the depth chart from boundless fantasy value. He’s shown us some flashes, for sure, but not quite enough to unseat Shayne Gostisbehere from the first unit power play. That said, he continues to trend positively, while Gostisbehere slowly heads the wrong direction with his production. This situation should also be on your radar going forward.

Anthony Mantha, RW, Detroit Red Wings: While Mantha on the whole season is outside the Player Rater picture for usable assets, on a per-game basis, he deserves more attention. If his fantasy value were to be constant and you adjusted him to 40 games played instead of 25, he’d be 76th among forwards on the Player Rater, just ahead of Evgeny Kuznetsov and better than others including Logan Couture, Daniel Sedin and Marian Hossa. He easily leads the Red Wings in Player Rater value for the past month and, for comparison’s sake, is only a shade behind Connor McDavid for fantasy value during that time frame. He’s a major part of the Wings’ offense going forward and should be owned universally at this point.

Sebastien Aho, RW/LW, Carolina Hurricanes: Picking up steam with each passing month, Aho is finding his footing as a scoring-line forward in the NHL. Coming off a December with nine points in 14 games, Aho has started January with three goals in four contests. He’s skating regularly with fellow youngster Teuvo Teravainen, and the duo get to hide somewhat behind Jeff Skinner‘s line as the focus of opposing defenses.

Forwards rising and falling

Taylor Hall, LW, New Jersey Devils (down 14 spots to No. 51): We’ve given Hall plenty of rope with which to hang himself in the rankings this season, and he seems to be content with doing just that. Fantasy owners hoping for a determined Hall to show the Oilers “what for” after his unceremonious trade during the offseason have been left wanting. He’s on pace to fall well shy of not only expectations following a change of scenery, but also his statistics from last season. Unfortunately, his shooting percentage is in line with his career numbers, which is usually one of our first stops to find hope. The Devils have had enough injury problems through the season that we can still hope he hasn’t quite settled in, but realistically, now 31 games into his Devils career the window is closing. At his current pace, he’ll basically match what Nathan MacKinnon did last season in 72 games, and MacKinnon was the 93rd-best skater on the Player Rater last season.

Jaden Schwartz, LW, St. Louis Blues (down 20 spots to No. 96): This is partially not Schwartz’s fault, as the Blues have been playing some ping pong with their depth chart this season. Then again, if the lines were scoring consistently, coach Ken Hitchcock probably wouldn’t be tinkering. While there was some injury time to account for, Schwartz’s ice time per game has been lower in each consecutive month this season, with his production stagnating since November. During the past 30 days, his ESPN Player Rater value is 286th among forwards, trailing such “heavyweights” as Cedric Paquette or Lance Bouma. The Blues have the puzzle pieces for Schwartz to have a huge fantasy impact, just like he had in November with seven goals and 12 points in 14 games. But he needs to not be on the third line for that to happen. His fantasy owners should be patient, but open to discussion if a Schwartz fan is looking to acquire him in trade. A turnaround is not guaranteed.

Defensemen rising and falling

Roman Josi, D, Nashville Predators (down 12 spots to No. 75): Basically on pace to finish with about 66 percent of the counting statistics he put up last season, fantasy owners are getting only two thirds of the Josi they paid for at the draft table. It’s nothing to sneeze at, as he still ranks in as the 22nd-best defenseman on the ESPN Player Rater so far. But he was the eighth defenseman off the boards at drafts this season, as fantasy owners expected him to continue his positive career arc. Fantasy owners can definitely complain about the usage, as Josi spent last season tied to the hip of Shea Weber, but this season the Predators have separated Josi from P.K. Subban (Weber’s replacement). Therein lies our hope for the remainder of the season, as Subban is due back from an injury in about two weeks. Perhaps the Preds recognize the reduced statistics and finally decide to see what these two can do together. On the other hand, perhaps not. If we don’t see some kind of change in approach for Josi soon, we might have to come to grips with him not returning his draft-day value this season.

Goaltenders rising and falling

Peter Budaj, G, Los Angeles Kings (down 11 spots to No. 88): Another terrific week for Budaj and another slip in the rankings. It’s nothing against his rock-solid play in the Kings’ crease but has everything to do with the clock ticking on his stay there. Jonathan Quick is maybe a month away from his return, and there is little doubt he takes back over as the main man for L.A. Considering these rankings are for the “rest of the season,” Budaj takes consistent hits because there is a good chance the rest of his season is, for all intents and purposes, over in a month.

Ben Bishop, G, Tampa Bay Lightning (up eight spots to No. 105): Speaking of goalies returning from injury, any thoughts of Bishop not returning to his stature as the Bolts’ No. 1 goaltender have been put to rest by Andrei Vasilevskiy‘s open-door policy during his absence. And by open door, I mean open net. Vasilevskiy has allowed a staggering 20 goals in his last four games alone. For now, he’s still the goalie of the future for the Lightning, but it’s clear that future isn’t on the immediate horizon. I still think he’s a handcuff to Bishop, but the veteran is the one you want to be starting when he returns next week.

Quick hits

The Dallas Stars will still be without Jamie Benn for the start of this week — at least. If you are looking for a short-term option, Lauri Korpikoski finished Saturday’s game on a line with Tyler Seguin and Jason Spezza, moving up the depth chart, thanks to two points through two periods.

Another short-term place to look for value might be Drew Stafford. He’ll be filling in for Laine on the Jets’ line with Mark Scheifele and Nikolaj Ehlers.

Patrick Maroon is still available in more than two-thirds of ESPN leagues and is just killing it on the top line with McDavid. Since coming together with McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on a line, Maroon has five goals and 13 shots on goal in three games.

James Reimer could be of use this week depending on how long Roberto Luongo remains day-to-day. Reimer has shown in the past that he can get as hot as any netminder in the NHL for a stretch of games.

The Vancouver Canucks are playing some serious defense of late, meaning that Ryan Miller can be scooped up for use. He’s won five straight with a .955 save percentage during that stretch. Just be mindful that it’s likely a short-term run of success.

Top-250 Rest-Of-Season Rankings Rank/Player/Position/Team PosRank Last Week 1. Sidney Crosby, C, Pit C1 1 2. Evgeni Malkin, C, Pit C2 3 3. Patrick Kane, RW, Chi RW1 4 4. Connor McDavid, C, Edm C3 2 5. Brent Burns, D, SJ D1 5 6. Vladimir Tarasenko, RW, StL RW2 7 7. Alex Ovechkin, RW, Was RW3 8 8. Erik Karlsson, D, Ott D2 9 9. Carey Price, G, Mon G1 6 10. Braden Holtby, G, Was G2 16 11. Artemi Panarin, LW, Chi LW1 14 12. Joe Pavelski, C, SJ C4 11 13. Devan Dubnyk, G, Min G3 12 14. Mark Scheifele, C, Wpg C5 13 15. Tyler Seguin, C, Dal C6 15 16. Claude Giroux, C, Phi C7 18 17. Jamie Benn, LW, Dal LW2 10 18. Dustin Byfuglien, D, Wpg D3 19 19. Tuukka Rask, G, Bos G4 17 20. Nicklas Backstrom, C, Was C8 20 21. Sergei Bobrovsky, G, Cls G5 27 22. Nikita Kucherov, RW, TB RW4 21 23. Shea Weber, D, Mon D4 22 24. Ryan Suter, D, Min D5 23 25. Phil Kessel, RW, Pit RW5 24 26. Ryan Kesler, C, Ana C9 25 27. Corey Perry, RW, Ana RW6 26 28. Kris Letang, D, Pit D6 28 29. Jakub Voracek, RW, Phi RW7 29 30. Johnny Gaudreau, LW, Cgy LW3 30 31. Victor Hedman, D, TB D7 31 32. Corey Crawford, G, Chi G6 32 33. Blake Wheeler, RW, Wpg RW8 33 34. Wayne Simmonds, LW, Phi LW4 34 35. Martin Jones, G, SJ G7 36 36. Cam Atkinson, RW, Cls RW9 47 37. Brad Marchand, LW, Bos LW5 38 38. Nick Foligno, LW, Cls LW6 39 39. John Tavares, C, NYI C10 35 40. Kevin Shattenkirk, D, StL D8 41 41. Auston Matthews, C, Tor C11 51 42. David Pastrnak, LW, Bos LW7 43 43. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, D, Ari D9 44 44. Max Pacioretty, LW, Mon LW8 54 45. Duncan Keith, D, Chi D10 46 46. Anze Kopitar, C, LA C12 48 47. Alexander Radulov, RW, Mon RW10 49 48. James Neal, LW, Nsh LW9 40 49. Cory Schneider, G, NJ G8 58 50. Ryan Johansen, C, Nsh C13 50 51. Taylor Hall, LW, NJ LW10 37 52. Ryan Getzlaf, C, Ana C14 45 53. Drew Doughty, D, LA D11 52 54. Jeff Carter, RW, LA RW11 62 55. Patrik Laine, RW, Wpg RW12 42 56. Jack Eichel, C, Buf C15 53 57. Eric Staal, C, Min C16 66 58. Nazem Kadri, C, Tor C17 56 59. Mark Stone, RW, Ott RW13 57 60. Jonathan Toews, C, Chi C18 60 61. Roberto Luongo, G, Fla G9 55 62. Mark Giordano, D, Cgy D12 64 63. Milan Lucic, LW, Edm LW11 65 64. Matt Murray, G, Pit G10 67 65. Henrik Lundqvist, G, NYR G11 59 66. P.K. Subban, D, Nsh D13 74 67. Alexander Wennberg, C, Cls C19 68 68. Patric Hornqvist, RW, Pit RW14 69 69. Zach Werenski, D, Cls D14 70 70. Jeff Skinner, LW, Car LW12 71 71. Brayden Schenn, C, Phi C20 72 72. Patrice Bergeron, C, Bos C21 73 73. Kyle Okposo, RW, Buf RW15 75 74. Logan Couture, C, SJ C22 61 75. Roman Josi, D, Nsh D15 63 76. John Klingberg, D, Dal D16 90 77. Evgeny Kuznetsov, C, Was C23 91 78. Mike Hoffman, LW, Ott LW13 79 79. Alexander Steen, LW, StL LW14 80 80. Rasmus Ristolainen, D, Buf D17 81 81. Brandon Saad, LW, Cls LW15 82 82. Nikolaj Ehlers, LW, Wpg LW16 83 83. Marian Hossa, RW, Chi RW16 84 84. James van Riemsdyk, LW, Tor LW17 85 85. John Gibson, G, Ana G12 94 86. Aleksander Barkov, C, Fla C24 86 87. Derek Stepan, C, NYR C25 87 88. Peter Budaj, G, LA G13 77 89. Zach Parise, LW, Min LW18 88 90. Pekka Rinne, G, Nsh G14 78 91. Filip Forsberg, C, Nsh C26 98 92. Tyler Johnson, C, TB C27 89 93. Cam Talbot, G, Edm G15 99 94. Leon Draisaitl, C, Edm C28 101 95. Sean Monahan, C, Cgy C29 92 96. Jaden Schwartz, LW, StL LW19 76 97. Charlie Coyle, LW, Min LW20 95 98. Dougie Hamilton, D, Cgy D18 97 99. Joe Thornton, C, SJ C30 100 100. John Carlson, D, Was D19 117 101. Jonathan Drouin, RW, TB RW17 125 102. Alex Galchenyuk, LW, Mon LW21 109 103. Mikael Granlund, C, Min C31 114 104. Daniel Sedin, LW, Van LW22 103 105. Ben Bishop, G, TB G16 113 106. Jaromir Jagr, RW, Fla RW18 104 107. Ryan McDonagh, D, NYR D20 105 108. Cam Fowler, D, Ana D21 106 109. Mats Zuccarello, RW, NYR RW19 107 110. Keith Yandle, D, Fla D22 108 111. Tyler Toffoli, RW, LA RW20 96 112. Shayne Gostisbehere, D, Phi D23 102 113. Chris Kreider, LW, NYR LW23 126 114. Andrei Markov, D, Mon D24 111 115. Torey Krug, D, Bos D25 112 116. Jonathan Quick, G, LA G17 118 117. Artem Anisimov, C, Chi C32 115 118. Jake Allen, G, StL G18 110 119. Marc-Andre Fleury, G, Pit G19 124 120. Sam Gagner, C, Cls C33 127 121. Mikko Koivu, C, Min C34 133 122. Jordan Eberle, RW, Edm RW21 119 123. Nathan MacKinnon, C, Col C35 120 124. Steve Mason, G, Phi G20 116 125. Kyle Turris, C, Ott C36 130 126. T.J. Oshie, RW, Was RW22 122 127. Rickard Rakell, RW, Ana RW23 123 128. Andrei Vasilevskiy, G, TB G21 93 129. David Backes, C, Bos C37 147 130. Matthew Tkachuk, LW, Cgy LW24 137 131. Ryan O’Reilly, RW, Buf RW24 129 132. William Nylander, LW, Tor LW25 139 133. Alex Pietrangelo, D, StL D26 132 134. Cam Ward, G, Car G22 134 135. Brent Seabrook, D, Chi D27 121 136. Craig Anderson, G, Ott G23 135 137. Justin Faulk, D, Car D28 152 138. Henrik Zetterberg, C, Det C38 136 139. Marcus Johansson, LW, Was LW26 138 140. Matt Duchene, C, Col C39 128 141. Jakob Silfverberg, RW, Ana RW25 140 142. Jonathan Huberdeau, LW, Fla LW27 150 143. Mitch Marner, C, Tor C40 151 144. Chad Johnson, G, Cgy G24 142 145. Jason Spezza, C, Dal C41 144 146. Thomas Greiss, G, NYI G25 173 147. Aaron Ekblad, D, Fla D29 145 148. Justin Schultz, D, Pit D30 159 149. Victor Rask, C, Car C42 146 150. Michael Cammalleri, LW, NJ LW28 148 151. David Krejci, C, Bos C43 149 152. Mika Zibanejad, RW, NYR RW26 169 153. Matt Dumba, D, Min D31 172 154. Frederik Andersen, G, Tor G26 153 155. J.T. Miller, LW, NYR LW29 154 156. Vincent Trocheck, C, Fla C44 168 157. Anthony Mantha, RW, Det RW27 187 158. Robby Fabbri, C, StL C45 155 159. Bryan Little, C, Wpg C46 156 160. Rick Nash, LW, NYR LW30 143 161. Kyle Palmieri, RW, NJ RW28 141 162. Kevin Hayes, RW, NYR RW29 160 163. Mike Fisher, C, Nsh C47 165 164. Mikael Backlund, C, Cgy C48 194 165. Connor Hellebuyck, G, Wpg G27 161 166. Mike Green, D, Det D32 162 167. Jonathan Marchessault, C, Fla C49 163 168. Patrick Maroon, LW, Edm LW31 184 169. Derick Brassard, C, Ott C50 158 170. Max Domi, C, Ari C51 178 171. Jake Gardiner, D, Tor D33 188 172. Colton Parayko, D, StL D34 166 173. Ondrej Palat, LW, TB LW32 157 174. Chris Kunitz, LW, Pit LW33 170 175. Tyson Barrie, D, Col D35 180 176. Patrick Sharp, LW, Dal LW34 198 177. Sam Bennett, C, Cgy C52 171 178. Gabriel Landeskog, LW, Col LW35 174 179. Michael Grabner, LW, NYR LW36 196 180. Robin Lehner, G, Buf G28 177 181. Sami Vatanen, D, Ana D36 181 182. Dion Phaneuf, D, Ott D37 183 183. Petr Mrazek, G, Det G29 164 184. Patrick Eaves, RW, Dal RW30 185 185. Travis Zajac, C, NJ C53 176 186. Viktor Arvidsson, RW, Nsh RW31 186 187. Evander Kane, LW, Buf LW37 189 188. Mike Smith, G, Ari G30 190 189. Dylan Larkin, C, Det C54 175 190. Teuvo Teravainen, LW, Car LW38 199 191. Ryan Miller, G, Van G31 243 192. Adam Henrique, C, NJ C55 191 193. Brian Elliott, G, Cgy G32 193 194. Tomas Plekanec, C, Mon C56 167 195. Damon Severson, D, NJ D38 179 196. Seth Jones, D, Cls D39 197 197. Henrik Sedin, C, Van C57 200 198. Justin Williams, RW, Was RW32 221 199. Patrick Marleau, LW, SJ LW39 227 200. Reilly Smith, RW, Fla RW33 201 201. Alex Killorn, LW, TB LW40 202 202. Jussi Jokinen, LW, Fla LW41 203 203. Radim Vrbata, RW, Ari RW34 204 204. Antoine Roussel, LW, Dal LW42 205 205. David Perron, LW, StL LW43 195 206. Bo Horvat, C, Van C58 232 207. Sam Reinhart, C, Buf C59 206 208. Paul Stastny, C, StL C60 208 209. Jimmy Howard, G, Det G33 210 210. Brendan Gallagher, RW, Mon RW35 131 211. Andrew Shaw, C, Mon C61 192 212. Thomas Vanek, LW, Det LW44 220 213. Jeff Petry, D, Mon D40 224 214. Josh Bailey, RW, NYI RW36 211 215. Zdeno Chara, D, Bos D41 213 216. Ryan Ellis, D, Nsh D42 214 217. David Savard, D, Cls D43 215 218. Marc-Edouard Vlasic, D, SJ D44 182 219. Antti Raanta, G, NYR G34 216 220. Martin Hanzal, C, Ari C62 218 221. Scott Hartnell, LW, Cls LW45 219 222. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C, Edm C63 209 223. Jacob Trouba, D, Wpg D45 N/R 224. Anton Stralman, D, TB D46 222 225. Tomas Tatar, LW, Det LW46 223 226. Jonathan Bernier, G, Ana G35 225 227. Hampus Lindholm, D, Ana D47 226 228. Jason Zucker, LW, Min LW47 228 229. Morgan Rielly, D, Tor D48 229 230. Antti Niemi, G, Dal G36 230 231. Alec Martinez, D, LA D49 231 232. Loui Eriksson, LW, Van LW48 233 233. Andrej Sekera, D, Edm D50 234 234. Jake Muzzin, D, LA D51 235 235. Bobby Ryan, RW, Ott RW37 207 236. Michal Neuvirth, G, Phi G37 N/R 237. Jared Spurgeon, D, Min D52 236 238. Matt Moulson, LW, Buf LW49 237 239. P.A. Parenteau, RW, NJ RW38 238 240. Mike Condon, G, Ott G38 239 241. Sven Baertschi, LW, Van LW50 N/R 242. Troy Brouwer, RW, Cgy RW39 240 243. Tomas Hertl, LW, SJ LW51 212 244. Kari Lehtonen, G, Dal G39 242 245. Michael Frolik, RW, Cgy RW40 N/R 246. Matt Niskanen, D, Was D53 244 247. Valtteri Filppula, C, TB C64 217 248. Nino Niederreiter, RW, Min RW41 246 249. Conor Sheary, LW, Pit LW52 247 250. Sebastian Aho, RW, Car RW42 N/R

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tkachuktkaching · 5 months ago

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Tkachuk has ‘really special’ day bringing Stanley Cup home to St. Louis

Panthers forward visits first responders, children’s hospital with famed trophy

ST. LOUIS -- Matthew Tkachuk remembers visiting family in Boston, the first stop usually being the North End fire department where his grandfather, John Tkachuk, was the chief.

“We’d ride the pole, try the hat on, sometimes we’d go for a ride even though I don’t know if that’s allowed,” the Florida Panthers forward said with a laugh on Thursday. “It was super cool and anytime I see firemen, on duty or off, I always make sure to go say ‘Hi’.”

And when Tkachuk had his day with the Stanley Cup on Thursday, the Brentwood Fire Department, located about 15 minutes west of his hometown of St. Louis in Brentwood, Missouri, was one of the stops he definitely had to make.

It was an enjoyable day for Tkachuk, who had 61 points (24 goals, 37 assists) in 71 regular-season games and 22 points (six goals, 16 assists) in 24 Stanley Cup Playoff games to help the Panthers win their first Cup championship last month.

His time with the Cup actually began Wednesday, when he took it to lunch at Grassi’s Ristorante in Frontenac, Missouri, about 15 minutes west of St. Louis.

On Thursday he brought the Cup to his elementary school, Villa Duchesne in St. Louis, the St. Louis Children’s Hospital and the Brentwood police and fire departments.

“It’s been amazing," he said. "I’m trying to have that little mix of fitting everything I want possible in, but also want to enjoy it with those who are close to me. It’s been awesome so far and I’m sure the day’s going to continue to be awesome.”

There was no riding on the pole at the fire department this time, but Tkachuk did try on a fireman’s hat, saying that “it was a little snug. I’ve got a big head, but it was good.” He also took photos with the firemen and their families, displaying the Cup in the department and outside in front of one of the fire trucks.

Brentwood assistant fire chief Ed Beirne said when he told his staff that Tkachuk would be coming by with the Cup, “I didn’t think their eyes and mouths could open any wider.

“It’s an honor for us to actually be considered,” said Beirne, whose grandson, Faris, was placed in the Cup for one of the photos.

“Although we know the Tkachuk family is part of Brentwood, growing up around here, this is a massive effort to win the Cup. For them to remember and humble us by sharing his day with the Cup, I know he gets it for a short amount of time, but to share that time with us and then bring a lot of joy to the staff and family we were able to assemble, that is what’s really special about public safety and the NHL in general. It’s a family sport. All of us have played it, it’s a family, and this is a testament to that.”

When Tkachuk brought the Cup to the police department, he was joined by his immediate family, including brother Brady, captain of the Ottawa Senators, and father Keith, the former NHL forward who had 1,065 points (538 goals, 527 assists) in 1,201 games with the Winnipeg Jets, Phoenix Coyotes, Atlanta Thrashers and St. Louis Blues.

Brady was catching up with Matthew after some early-morning training.

“I can’t just be riding his coattails. Have to prepare for next season,” Brady said with a laugh.

“This is our childhood dream, just to see it up close and personal, to see how happy and genuinely excited and fulfilled and satisfied Matthew is, it’s amazing to see. It’s been awesome to see, and it’s definitely created that burning desire for me to provide that for my family and friends, too.”

Matthew took photos with individual officers and staff members, who were hesitant as they approached the Cup.

“Anybody that knows anything about hockey knows the Cup is sacred, so we’re scared to touch it,” Brentwood police chief Joseph Spiess Jr. said.

“The Tkachuk family has a strong presence in Brentwood. Not only do we get to protect them, but we get to share in their celebration, so it’s cool for us. Most of the people in this building are huge fans, sports generally, but hockey in particular.”

When the Vegas Golden Knights won the Cup in 2023, it marked the first time that names were engraved on the Cup prior to players and staff getting their respective days with it. It was something Matthew appreciated.

“It’s really special for my family. Years and years and years of hockey in our blood and for grandparents and extended family that come to my house and see that Tkachuk name on the Cup there, it’s truly such a special thing,” Matthew said.

The family had its own time with the Cup by midday Thursday. After bringing home some barbecue, Brady and Keith, along with Matthew’s sister, Taryn, mom Chantal and his fiancée, Ellie Connell, took turns taking a sip of beer out of it.

Tkachuk had already spent some quality time with the Cup. He and a few Panthers teammates brought it to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on June 25, the day after they defeated the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. That day, they brought it to the Elbo Room, a bar near the beach, and Tkachuk carried the Cup into the Atlantic Ocean.

But there’s something special about bringing it back to your hometown.

“It hasn’t sunk in,” Keith said. “It’s been so much fun watching Matthew with the Cup with other people. That means more than winning, so it’s so cool. We’re pretty proud. He’s been around, grew up here, wants to be a part of it and he took it everywhere. Everybody’s loving it. We’re loving it.”

via nhl.com

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